2012 Legislative Update: Virginia to Keep the Ban on Uranium Mining Until 2013
Posted by:
SuperUser Account
on
1/21/2012
Dear Advocates,
This week, Virginians across the Commonwealth celebrate! Our state-wide grassroots organizing has successfully showed the widespread citizen support to keep the ban on uranium mining.
There are no bills to lift the ban on uranium mining in the Virginia General Assembly during this legislative session.
However, we still have a fight ahead.
Governor McDonnell announced his directive to create a working group, made up of technical staff from three state agencies, to draft the regulatory framework to mine uranium in Virginia.
Putting the state's staff, time, and financial resources towards regulations will be technical and challenging. It remains unclear where the resources will come from and all parties acknowledge the serious risks involved in uranium mining. This decision does not change the novel dangers uranium poses to public health and water, which were acknowledged in the National Academy of Sciences study.
Let's keep up the momentum this year! Faith communities across the Commonwealth contributed to over 10,000 signatures and 100 businesses and local governments who publicly stood together to keep the ban on uranium mining in Virginia. This year we must continue to raise our voices about the risks uranium mining poses to our health and drinking water.
Look forward to more legislative updates during the 2012 General Assembly! We are tracking the top energy efficiency and renewable energy bills this year and will keep you posted on progress.
Faithfully yours,
Trieste Lockwood
Director, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light